RE: Questions about the prodigy meter

[Guest guest]

Hello Dan,

As far as a fool-proof method of getting a blood sample onto a strip, I would

have to say there is no such thing. The key things are strips that use a very

small sample, like the Prodigy and other latest generation meters, and simply

perfecting your own method of pricking your fingers and placing the blood on the

strip. There's really no trick, just practice over time.

Dave

Questions about the prodigy meter

1. Has anyone compared test results using the new strips with some more

widely known meter such as the one touch ultra? I understand it is still

new. With the old strips there was at least one thread about poor test to

test results and someone giving up on the meter.

2. My particular insurance plan for medicare part b puts meters and strips

into the medical device category to be paid by medicare. Has anyone

experience with medicare in getting this meter and strips?

3. All talking meters I have tried, about 3, still makes it impossible to

know only after the fact if one has first enough blood, has found the stick

point, and has enough on/in the strip until after the fact. The price is

multiple sticks and wasted strips and untold frustration. How does this

meter, if at all, address these problems diferently? I last used an

accucheck.

Thanks.

XB

IC|XC

[Guest guest]

Hi Dan,

As Dave said, it is all in practice. No machine as yet has been able to

guarantee that you don't waste strips. I can remember when I had sight,

still wasting strips. At present nothing is perfect. One good thing

however, is that the new strips take less blood which makes it a little

easier. The one thing I do and like about the Prodigy is that you can

handle the strips. The way the Prodigy meters are designed allows you to

put a finger under the strip which I use to help me guide myself to the spot

where I poked. I then, using overlapping sweeping motions, go till I hear

now testing and I then hold the strip there until I hear the results. This

has been the most reliable method for me. As for the insurance, maybe

someone from the list might be able to answer because I am from Canada and

our health care is different. My guess is that there should be no problem,

just ask your insurance agent.

Ruth

From: blind-diabetics

[mailto:blind-diabetics ] On Behalf Of .dan.

Sent: Thursday, January 03, 2008 8:55 AM

To: blind-diabetics

Subject: Questions about the prodigy meter

1. Has anyone compared test results using the new strips with some more

widely known meter such as the one touch ultra? I understand it is still

new. With the old strips there was at least one thread about poor test to

test results and someone giving up on the meter.

2. My particular insurance plan for medicare part b puts meters and strips

into the medical device category to be paid by medicare. Has anyone

experience with medicare in getting this meter and strips?

3. All talking meters I have tried, about 3, still makes it impossible to

know only after the fact if one has first enough blood, has found the stick

point, and has enough on/in the strip until after the fact. The price is

multiple sticks and wasted strips and untold frustration. How does this

meter, if at all, address these problems diferently? I last used an

accucheck.

Thanks.

XB

IC|XC